Rocky Grimes Week #0: I Finally Remembered

I finally remembered.

There I was, lying in bed listening to the expected hailstorm we were having here in DC.  

A hailstorm; that reminded of something, some story I wanted to talk about.  But I just couldn’t quite recall what it was, or where I’d seen it. So I just lay there, tossing and turning, listening to the drumbeat of the hail on the windows.  Until…

I finally remembered.

It was the story of this man:

This man’s name is Grimes.  I’m sure you’ve never heard of him.  

Yet Grimes is symbol, an encapsulation of perfect Golden Age -style storytelling, both good and bad.  His is a triumphant of concept so pure, so absolute, that in the coming week it will cleanse your mind and soul.  His story will help you realize that (1) whatever you read this week wasn’t nearly as stupid as it could have been and (2) no, you would not want to be a comic book character in a comic book world.

Next week, ladies and gentleman, is Rocky Grimes Week.  Yes, I have finally remembered; and I intend to make sure that none of us ever forget.

Things That Made Me Happy

... in my comics this week.

When I first read "Orm's sister", I thought, "Well, she's just been introducted to produce dramatic tension.  I don't think she's going to be any real trouble."  Then I read her NAME.  Oh, yeah; that's trouble.

Finally, a sensible reason why the Fortress of Solitude is where it is.

"I'm a work in progress."  See? This is why people love Barry Allen.  Try to imagine Batman or Superman or Wonder Woman saying, "I'm a work in progress."  Wonder Woman would just say, "I'm progress!"  Superman would just say,  "Excuse me, I'm working."  Batman would--well, Batman would just walk away.  Or gas you.

"Oofta."  Heh, apparently Jimmy actually IS scandanavian.
Scavenger.  Oh, I could have told you THAT last month.

Hey, it's Go-Go Gomez! BWAHAHAHAHA!

"No."  Look, you can call Superman boring all you want.  He's still got Golden Age-style, anti-authoritarian balls of steel, and that's alright in my book.

Orion likes Earth.  Somehow, that actually makes a difference to me. Plus, he knows that the New Gods are boring.

It occurs to me that Flash is the (potentially) perfect intersection of Batman (detective with colorful rogues gallery in an urban environment) and Superman (god-like powers but lowly secret ID and gobs of humility).
Hector Hammond.  I'm like the NewDCU more and more.

Speaking of anti-authoritarian balls of steel, I love how I-am-very-ready-to-kick-your-ass Mera was talked down off the ledge of violence by a sensible, normal woman.

Superman's showdown with Congress.  Yes; that is almost exactly what would happen. So seldom do comics get politics right or even remotely realistic, that I must praise them when they do.  Congress would not go, "Oh, how lovely; Superman has a country cottage!  I hope Lois Lane does a story on it and all its wonders at some point."  Congress would definitely go, "Uh, so you built a FORTRESS filled with world-threatening weapons and dangerous substances and creatures? Can we discuss this?"

Oh, I am SURE Iris has been touched by the speed force, which is how she can go from zero to MEAN in under 15 seconds.

"Caesar knows." You're a good Roman, Perry.

The Outlanders. More real-politik,  indeed!

Hey, Superman; next time, try just unplugging the thing.  It's what anyone without heat vision would have done.